Arsenal boss Wenger delighted that Clichy's not burnt out after playing so often for Gunners

Gael Clichy has what it takes to be the best left back in the Barclays Premier League, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman may still only be 22, but he has been one of the most consistent performers for the Gunners in what has been a rollercoaster campaign.

Clichy has made more than 45 appearances for Arsenal this season, putting to rest any concerns over his long-term fitness following three operations on a persistent foot injury.

Gael Clichy - pictured tackling Fulham's Brian McBride - has been a consistent performer for Arsenal this season

The pacy Arsenal left-back - who picked up a Premier League winners medal in 2003-04 - has proved more than an able successor to Ashley Cole, who left for Chelsea in August 2006.

Despite his brilliant club form, Wenger accepts Clichy, signed from AS Cannes in 2003, has a lot of competition to see him break into the French national team - especially from compatriot Patrice Evra at Manchester United.

However, the Arsenal manager, who takes his men to relegated Derby tomorrow night, feels time is on the full-back's side for the international recognition he deserves.

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"I am very positive with Gael because he loves the game and, every day after training, he's out there practising to improve," Wenger said. "There was a question mark about whether Gael would last the season - but he has played more games than anyone else.

"He had three operations on his metatarsal and he had already undergone hernia surgery, and we were concerned over whether he would be capable to absorb so many games with such a slight frame.

"The big victory for me this year is not that he has played well - I expected him to play well - but that he could absorb a complete season at the top level without any rest."

Wenger feels the best is yet to come from Clichy. "There is still more in there," declared the Arsenal manager.

"When you see the game he produced at Old Trafford, you think 'oh, there's more in the locker, because he takes more responsibility'. It was a top-class performance, not only football wise but character - he showed a non acceptance of the defeat when we were down 2-1. He was the one who really moved forward."

The Arsenal manager believes it is only a matter of time before his fellow countryman earns a full France cap, possibly just in time for this summer's European Championships.

"I would like him to play," said Wenger, "but there is Eric Abidal who plays at Barcelona, Evra who is at Manchester United, Clichy at Arsenal - that shows you how rich France is. It is the same on the right side, there is [William] Sagnol at Bayern Munich and Francois Clerc, at Lyon, then they have [Bacary] Sagna who is here at Arsenal.

"You can go into every position, it is like that with the French team."

Wenger insisted: "I believe Clichy is very, very close to the national team. I think he should be in the team, for me. He should be competing with Evra and Abidal, but France have so many players it's hard to make the selection.

"He is the youngest one, he will be 23 years old this year - and don't forget he was injured for a while. But he has hit many people with his performance at Old Trafford."

Wenger is, meanwhile, without several first-team regulars for the trip to Pride Park. Winger Alex Hleb will miss the rest of the season through suspension following a charge of violent conduct from the Football Association, while Abou Diaby, who would have been available after a ban is now out after suffering a thigh injury on duty with the reserves.

Wenger confirmed Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Sagna (ankle) will also take no further part in the final three matches.

"Diaby's season is finished, Hleb's season finished, Rosicky's season finished, and Eduardo of course. Now Sagna's season is over as well," said the Arsenal manager.

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Wenger delighted that Clichy's not burnt out after playing so often for Gunners